Impaired pancreatic bicarbonate secretion in chronic malnutrition
Keni, S.; Jain, M.K.; Mehra, R.; Taskar, S.P.
Indian Pediatrics 32(3): 323-329
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 8613287 Document Number: 452323
23 children (9 months to 9 years old) with recurrent episodes of diarrhoea and chronic malnutrition were studied for pancreatic duct function. These children were subjected to pancreatic stimulation with pancreozymin and secretin. Grade I malnourished children as per Gomez classification, formed the control group. The water output from the pancreas increased in malnourished children (P<0.05). It correlated significantly to cationic transport (P<0.01). Sodium and potassium together accounted for significant proportions of water output in pancreatic fluid. K transport increased with increasing severity of malnutrition and may be responsible for the hypokalaemia observed in malnourished children. Pancreatic secretion of bicarbonate decreased in severe malnutrition in spite of increased flow rate of pancreatic secretion. This is probably due to defective bicarbonate secretion likely to be located at the pancreatic duct epithelial cell membrane.